Riot Fest 2012 – Iggy and The Stooges – Gogol Bordello – Alkaline Trio – Elvis Costello and the Imposters – Screaming Females – The Jesus and Mary Chain – Fishbone – NOFX – Less Than Jake – Reverend Horton Heat – and Many More – at Humboldt Park – Chicago, IL

The alarm clock rang way too early on Sunday, and if the line-up was any different than what it was, I probably would’ve hit snooze and said fuck it. Fortunately, the line-up was enough to get my jet-lagged ass out of bed.

After hitting up Dunkin’ Donuts again (California people, don’t buy that bagged shit they sell in the coffee aisle out here. It does not hold a candle to the real deal) and taking a tour through some realllllly sketchy Southside Chicago areas (thanks iPhone maps!) I arrived once again at Humboldt Park.

As on Saturday, festival goers were met with carnival acts as they walked through the gates. First up for the day was Henry Clay People. Though they were good, they seemed a little bit subdued. Maybe the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet, but I was looking for something with a bit more oomph! to start the day off.

Immediately after HCP, Imagine Dragons took to the Riot Stage. Typically, I wouldn’t seek them out, but as they weren’t playing opposite any other band I figured, “Why not?” and headed over. Too much pop for my taste, however … the lead singer’s joy and enthusiasm for playing music was infectious. When a band is clearly enjoying what they do, and show it, it’s hard not to be caught up in that emotion. While I may never listen to, or see, Imagine Dragons again, for the few minutes I saw them at Riot Fest, I secretly liked them.

The day was starting to look up, as the next band playing was Reverend Horton Heat. Rockabilly royalty, Rev and the gang brought some good ol’, Southern psychobilly freak-outs to the Midwest. Performing together for over 20 years, the camaraderie in the trio is palpable. Not only are their songs tight, but the interaction between the bands’ members is one of long-standing friendship. Jim Heath and Jimbo Wallace take some time out to head over to stand in front of the drum-set of Scott Churilla, and play half of “400 Bucks” back to back. The Rev followed pretty much the same style as when they played Hootenanny earlier this year: the first song, off their first album, then the second song off their second album, etc. Though it’s comforting to have an idea of what is coming up, set-wise, I wouldn’t mind if they switched it up a bit and just played whatever songs they felt like at the moment. They opened with “Psychobilly Freakout”, going into “400 Bucks”, followed by “Baddest of the Bad”. I would have gladly stayed for Reverend Horton Heat’s entire set, just because they put on an always awesome show.

Sadly, I couldn’t stay, but I didn’t think about it too much because next up was Fishbone! I fuckin’ love these guys. Their shows are always high energy and just plain good. Opening up with “Sunless Saturday”, Angelo and the rest of the band were in top form. There were quite a few people who had never heard, or heard of, Fishbone before, but by the time the first song was finished, they were fans. Later in the day, I overheard one of the photographers saying, “I had no idea who they were or what to expect, but shit dude! They were awesome!” Yes, yes they were. The crowd was completely focused on the show being laid out before them. I saw many people in the audience who, as teenagers, probably saw Fishbone in the 90’s, holding their kids on their shoulders so that the kids can experience what good music is. Some other songs they played included “Date Rape” and “Lyin’ Ass Bitch”. 

Less Than Jake was next up. Currently celebrating their 20th year, Less Than Jake are on tour promoting that fact, and Riot Fest was just one stop. As soon as they hit the stage, they showed a liveliness that couldn’t be contained. They did a lot of their older songs, and even when a penis-like balloon animal made its way to the front of the stage, the guys in the band didn’t miss a beat. They incorporated the pink phallus into their banter and kicked into the next song. Any chance to see Less Than Jake play live, I’ll take it—their stage presence is one of the most active and animated out there. Between interacting with the crowd, and with each other, the Floridians played songs like “Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts”, “Sugar in Your Gas Tank”, “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads”, and “Plastic Cup Politics”. Less Than Jake will be playing at House of Blues in Anaheim on October 9th. If you can, go to their show. You will not be disappointed. (Unless you want to buy a beer. The prices there are a bit ouchie.)

From Ska, I went to metal and checked out the recently reunited Chiodos. After the fallout of 2009 (it seemed ugly), I wasn’t sure what to expect. Apparently fences were mended, because FUCK! This set, this show? Was off the hook! During one of the earlier songs, Craig Owens crowd-walked and sang the last bit of “Penguins” whilst being held up by the crowd. All of the band members seemed to be having a blast playing, and Owens sported a beatific smile throughout their entire set. You could tell the crowd that was there were rabid fans. As soon as “Thermacare” started, the people behind the barricade were nothing but a writing mass of bodies. People were screaming, singing along, crowd-surfing, you name it. For most of Chiodos, I spent my time drop-jawed—they were just *that* good. “There’s No Penguins in Alaska” might’ve been the highlight for me, due to the aforementioned crowd-walking. “Two Birds Stoned at Once” also gets an honorable mention, but the closer of “The Words “Best Friend” Become Redefined” was apropos. Hopefully this newly redefined Chiodos will stick around.

After that, I kinda floated over to the Roots Stage, where NOFX was about to take the stage. Bummed that I missed their headlining set at Congress the night before, I was stoked to see them today. After taking a healthy shot of Jameson, and then pouring more into a cup, Fat Mike took to the mic to tell the crowd that they missed a good show last night, and today will suck because he still has the flu. (Apparently the flu-flu, and not the hangover-flu, as they had to cancel a show two nights prior.) Either way, NOFX put on a good set, even though Fat Mike’s vocals were a bit more raw than normal. (Hey, if you’ve been coughing and puking for days on end, I’m surprised he sounded pretty great.) Ill or not, NOFX put on a great show and the crowd ate it up. As with Dropkick the day before, bodies began flying and security asked us to leave, “for our safety”. They opened with “60%”, and continued with “Murder the Government”, “I Wanna Be an Alcoholic”, bringing Angelo Moore out for “Eat the Meek”.

After NOFX, I had the choice of either AWOLNATION or White Mystery. I chose AWOLNATION. I chose wrong. WRONG! Last year, I was lucky enough to catch White Mystery, and they were pretty fabulous. Since I already saw the sister/brother duo, I figured I’d catch what is apparently the “next big thing”. Those 10 minutes are 10 minutes of my life I’ll never get back. I just … I just don’t get them. Moving on …

The Jesus and Mary Chain were on rotation in my collection as an early teen (my “spooky years”), so I was really excited to see them. Until now, each band seemed excited and happy to be performing (even the bands I wasn’t fond of). But the Jesus and Mary Chain seemed indifferent. Musically, they were spot on, and they sounded great. The fact that they did play “Some Candy Talking”, “Head On”, and “Sidewalking” made up for my earlier disappointment. Next time I see them, I’ll make sure to load up on my eyeliner, and remember to gaze at my shoes.

As I shuffled away from the stage, I grabbed out the schedule they handed to us earlier, and saw that Screaming Females was about to start. This band was just the pick-up I needed. Marissa Paternoster, lead vocalist and guitarist, was also suffering from the flu. Although her banter in between songs was subdued, you could not tell she was ill when she was playing and singing. She can growl and hold a note, and choke the life out of her guitar, all at once. Their sound is something you would expect out of a band twice their size; the trio really knows their shit. I left their set earlier than I wanted to, but I had to make my way over to the Roots Stage because Elvis Costello was next.

Elvis fuckin’ Costello! Need I say more? He and The Imposters took the stage and that was it, it was over. He stole the show. Borrowing mainly from his first few albums, he, The Imposters, and his custom “Elvis” guitar played hit after hit. Though Elvis Costello might not be thought of as “Punk”, he was one of the progenitors of our era of the “smart, angry” songwriters. (I won’t even get into how Fat Mike earlier in the day called Costello “overrated”.) Growing up, my dad introduced me to a wide swath of music, from The Clash to Elvis Costello. Since I’ll never be able to see The Clash, I’m really happy to have seen Elvis Costello. There were no shenanigans, either from the crowd or the band—it was just a solid set of favourites from “Lipstick Vogue” to “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”. During “Watching the Detectives”, Mr. Costello broke out a siren megaphone, and that was a turning point wherein the crowd bought into his entire set.

Why Alkaline Trio went on after Elvis Costello, I’ll never know. Maybe because they are more current, or are Chicago locals. Don’t get me wrong, Matt Skiba is awesome, and his solo work, along with Alkaline Trio, is great. Matt Skiba apparently was singing along to The Descendents the night before, since he mentioned he blew out his voice singing along. We couldn’t tell though, as the pop-punk behemoth went through song after song during their set. There were moments when the crowd got a bit riled up, but mostly the people seemed to be content to just jump around in place and sing along with “’97”, “Emma”, and “Radio”. By this time, after 3 days of non-stop music, I think most people just wanted to see Iggy. However, they would have to wait, as Gogol Bordello was up next.

Gogol Bordello defines themselves as “Gypsy Punk”, and I can feel some Romani aspect in their music, what with the fiddle and accordion. (Also, some of the band members do look like they could be descended from the Roms.) Are they punk? Are they folk? Are they some sort of odd hybrid? I have no idea how to really classify Gogol Bordello, other than fun. The band takes the stage and just kicks you in the throat with driving fiddle tunes, accompanied by guitar and accordion. They surely fit in with the “carnival” theme this year, and they did not disappoint. As soon as Eugene hit his mark in front of the mic, the crowd went batshit. Seemingly, along with “carnival” as the theme for Riot Fest 2012, another theme should be “crowd goes wild. Bodies start flying. Story at 11.” As with Dropkick and NOFX, we were ushered out early, due to security thinking we’d be hurt. (To that I say, “PSHAW! Heads can heal.”) Gogol puts on an entertaining and energetic show (I mean, what else can you expect from a band who has a song titled “Think Locally, Fuck Globally”?) I’d love to see one of their performances not at the end of a 3 day extravaganza.

I think Gogol was the right band to open for Iggy—they got the crowd into a tizzy. As I was waiting to be let into our tiny photographers pen, someone asked me if I had ever seen (or shot) him before. I answered no, and he responded, “You will be a changed woman. I shot him a few years ago and it was awesome.” An hour after that statement, I can honestly say he was right. Iggy alone is an icon. Iggy and The Stooges? Punk rock divinity. The expectation of the crowd was palpable, and I think everyone was just feeding off of each other’s energy and anticipation. When the time came for the band to take the stage, as soon as the first note of the guitar hit the amps, it was off to the races. The crowd erupted (including the security guards—I saw quite a few of them trying to pay more attention to what was going on onstage, rather than paying attention to the crowd). The remaining Stooges were tight, but really, Iggy stole the show.  Though he is just past 65, he has more energy than a toddler. He hit the stage and did.not.stop.moving. The set opened with “Raw Power”, and that was a harbinger of things to come.

The entire hour was full of nothing but raw power. Things got a little bit (okay, a LOT bit) creepy when a group of girls were brought onstage to dance along with Iggy to “Shake Appeal”. After that bit of ick concluded, the insanity continued. Throughout the night, Iggy would make forays to the front of the stage and close to the audience, teasing. At some point during the set, he dove into the crowd. The Stooges proved to be a grounding force—even though Iggy was all over the place during the songs, at some point he always came back to his band-mates. A tour de force, or a force of nature, anyway you slice it, Iggy is definitely a force to be reckoned with. We are just passengers, riding through the city. And Iggy is the driver.

Set list:
Raw Power - Search and Destroy - Gimme Danger - Shake Appeal - 1970 - Fun House - Night Theme - Beyond the Law - I Got a Right - I Wanna Be Your Dog - Open Up and Bleed - Penetration - No Fun - The Passenger - Cock in My Pocket

 

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist

 

 

 

 

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